Tear Down the Walls!

A church without walls was “born” this week as we looked at Acts chapter 13.  Sometimes when we think about the “church” we think about huge architectural structures and prime real estate.  Yet, the harsh reality is that those buildings and real estate holdings have perhaps done more to keep people out then to invite people in.  In the U.S., 3,500-4,000 churches close their doors each year (Barna Group).  Scary reality.  Some of that is due to shrinking membership and a shift in our culture. 

The early Church, while it didn’t have many resources and they didn’t have buildings, was able to spread the message of Jesus Christ to “the ends of the earth” in remarkable ways.  As we look at all the new church-plants around the U.S., most of them are following the early Church model.  They meet in existing buildings, coffee shops, schools and homes.  They are finding new places and new ways to reach people with the Gospel.  They are going out into “Samaria” and to their communities in ways that are authentic and real.  And, if you think about it, the Church isn’t a building or a denomination; it’s the people.  We are the body of Christ.  The people are the Church, not the buildings. 

So, how can we be a church without walls?  How can we also be a church without walls and reach out to share the Gospel?  Well, there are many ways.  Reaching out and sharing the Gospel happens every day in places all over the community.  I think about our youth who share their faith is amazing ways at school through their words and actions with their friends.  I know I often invite people who have questions related to God and faith to meet me for lunch or at a coffee shop, not at the church.  Walking into a church and then finding your way up to my 4th floor office isn’t very inviting!  The church without walls exists, but we need to look for those opportunities to tear down the walls and remove the barriers. 

As an English major in college, I remember a poem by Robert Frost that was called "The Mending Wall."  One of the lines from that poem says, “Good walls make good neighbors.”  Walls don’t make good neighbors, as we all know. 

Think about the walls in your life?  We all put up walls that separate us from people all the time.  Why do we put up walls?  Sometimes it is intentional and other times the walls just grow over time.  Sometimes we put up walls out of fear or mistrust.  How can we knock a few more walls down in our own lives?  And, how can we each be a church without walls in our neighborhoods?  Our friends?  Our coworkers?  The reality is we can all be like Paul and Barnabas; we all have our own missionary journeys to accomplish for Christ!  Each of our missionary journeys is unique.  Embrace your journey!

Here’s a song by Hillsong called "Tear Down the Walls."  May OUR walls come a tumbling down!! 

To the Glory of God!

Pastor Carol